UC Application Questions

jadex

Cannot find any manual / rule book / handbook helping to correctly answer questions on UC application form (sort of like a booklet enclosed with every TC renewal form).
If there is one, where can I find it?


Any pointers will be highly appreciated!


1. Landlord.
They want landlord details including their phone number.
Thing is, getting UC would be directly against lease terms...
Hopefully they would never feel a need to call the landlord.
At the moment phone number is left as 0000000. If UC ask for the correct number, will there be an opportunity to add a note about not calling the landlord as this would risk tenancy agreement being terminated?


2. Health.
What sort of health issues should be added here?
Is this the place reserved for serious issues akin to being disabled on blue badge level?
Or lesser issues like, for instance, high blood pressure, chronic pain, eyesight issues, hay fever, hearing problems, etc. where prescriptions / medications / special devices are constantly needed?


3. Money, savings and investments.

3a. They are asking "How many current accounts do you and your partner have?".
Should business accounts be added here? Or only personal ones?

3b. Accounts details.
They want balance and last 4 digits of account number for all accounts.
How to provide details of accounts which do not have your ordinary sort code / account number (for instance Moneybox)?
Can I just make them up (0001,0002, 0003, etc.) as the note states: For reference only - This is so you know which account we are talking about if we contact you.

TIA

the_pink_panther_2

Sorry, I don't know, and I can see that you have no replies yet, but CAB have dedicated phone lines to help people through making UC claims, the application form, etc, so they may be a really good way of resolving your issues. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Re: number 2, any conditions that affect your ability to work (or that don't now but may feasibly do so in the future, if you wish to cover yourself). 
To be referred for a Work Capability Assessment, you would need to supply a fit note confirming the condition(s) affecting your ability to work, and not be earning more than 16xNMW/wk unless you claim PIP.

Newcad

1a- UC will pay Housing Element towards your rent, and will want your LL details to confirm that rent.

1b- Any such 'no benefits' clause/term in a tenancy agreement is invalid/unenforcible in court - any LL trying to evict a tenant for breach of agreement purely because they have started claiming benefits will get a stern talking to from the judge at the Possession Hearing as he refuses their application for a PO, it they even get that far.
It may sour relations with your LL, but there is nothing the LL can legally do to prevent a tenant claiming benefits.
(It does also make you wonder if by tryng to use such a clause the LL is trying to 'hide' the tenancy from the government. ie. the taxman).
PS. You are already claiming benefits - Tax Credits are benefits, just benefits paid by HMRC rather that DWP, similar to the way that Housing Benefit is paid by councils rather than DWP. It's one reason (some would say the main reason) why they are being migrated to UC, to get them all under the DWP.
(Pensioner HB isn't being migrated to the DWP - at least not yet but who know what the future may hold).

2- Any health issue that does, or could, limit your capability to do work. You will need to provide evidence, usually Fit Notes, if you want to claim Limited Capability for Work.

3a- I assume that you mean self employment business accounts? They will want to see it all.

3b- Not sure, Moneybox uses your NI number so use the last 4 digits of that? https://www.moneyboxapp.com/faqs/whats-my-moneybox-account-number/
Or if it's just for refrence then how about 'MB01'?

jadex

Thank you for your kind replies - helped a lot to clarify things.

Newcad

Newcad said:

.... there is nothing the LL can legally do to prevent a tenant claiming benefits.

Just to add to that:

The LL could try denying to the DWP that the tenancy exists, difficult to do that if there is a tenancy agreement.

The LL could refuse to confirm the rent to DWP, but the DWP are aware that awkward LL's exist and there are other ways such as showing the rent payments from your bank, or a S13 rent increase notice, etc.
(Unless of course you are paying in cash with no receipts. Which would be a big warning sign of possible tax fraud).

Then of course there are still criminal LLs who don't give two hoots about the law and will just 'send the boys round'.

jadex

Newcad said:

Newcad said:

.... there is nothing the LL can legally do to prevent a tenant claiming benefits.

Just to add to that:

The LL could try denying to the DWP that the tenancy exists, difficult to do that if there is a tenancy agreement.

The LL could refuse to confirm the rent to DWP, but the DWP are aware that awkward LL's exist and there are other ways such as showing the rent payments from your bank, or a S13 rent increase notice, etc.
(Unless of course you are paying in cash with no receipts. Which would be a big warning sign of possible tax fraud).

Then of course there are still criminal LLs who don't give two hoots about the law and will just 'send the boys round'.

Our LL is a pro and everything is legit.
There won't be a problem (I guess) but would prefer to keep it between me and UC...
With TC there was no housing element so LL was not involved at all.